Vogue Cover Racist?

Just when we thought that only size 2 and below models could ever grace the cover of Vogue there seems to be hope! Well only if you are a 6 foot 8 inches 250 pound professional basketball player. Vogue's April Shape issue features Lebron James and Gisele Bündchen on the cover. Most notably Lebron is the first black man to grace the cover Vogue but not without a bit of controversy.

After the release of the cover, some people believe that Lebron's expression and mannerism reflects the image of King Kong. The fact that he's holding Gisele, a white woman, some believe reinforces the stereotype of the 'dangerous black man.' The photo has disturbed a few people although it is important to note that Lebron James does not agree with this hype and dismisses the controversy.

When I first saw the cover I did not get even the slightest idea that the photo was at all racially offensive. Of course I may not be in tune to many subtleties that others may be aware of but on first glance I only saw an athlete showing energy (his 'game face') and a model smiling and at his side. She looks far from frightened or unwilling to be there. Personally I feel that reading too closely to something like this brings bad publicity that wouldn't normally be there.